From Oorah to Ohana - 'Aloha Joe in Hawaii' Chronicles a Disabled Marine's Journey of Healing and Discovery

KALAPANA, Hawaii, Jan. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Finding the positive side of adversity is a daily mantra for disabled former Marine, Joe Holt. With a personal history that encompasses PTSD from childhood, physical and sexual abuse in foster homes, numerous broken bones, the loss of his right knee to an electric saw and a discharge for traumatic brain injury from his post as a sergeant in the US Marines, Joe could easily have let the world come crashing down on his shoulders. Instead, he moved to Hawaii and adopted the local Aloha philosophy, and learned to grow.

"I see myself as an ambassador of Aloha," Joe tells us. "I owe the island and its culture so much and I want to pass on the love I've received."

Joe's first book, 'Aloha Joe in Hawaii' is an anthology of deeply rousing moments from his new life. This is an inspirational compendium for all creeds - even if they don't believe in a deity. It is a book that encourages others to seek self-betterment through the replacement of bitterness and animosity with love and compassion. This is Joe's message which he wants to spread through a series of books about high natural energy locations accompanied by positive thoughts and his own breathtakingly beautiful photography.

Why did Joe become a writer? As he puts it, "When you're a writer, you can't help but write. It's laughter and sunshine that drive me and I'm lucky that there's plenty here." He has further books planned for the other Hawaiian islands and beyond. "There's magic everywhere if you do but look," Joe says.

A gregarious person, Joe welcomes reader contact and invites anyone who can to attend his first book signing event on 4th February, 2014 at the Kona Stories Book Store, Keuhou, Hawaii.

After early retirement from the military, Joe served non-profits in his local communities. As a Patriot Supporter of the Vietnam Brotherhood and an Historian and Sergeant at Arms of the American Legion, he recorded the stories of veterans to preserve America's national past. He is a member of the Kona, Hi. Freemasons, Pacific Grove, Ca. Freemasons, Scottish Rite Valley of San Jose, Ca., Chaplain of the National Sojourners (and an ordained minister) and life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. He has two sons, Joseph Jr. and Justin, and lives on the Big Island of Hawaii. Joe is a full time non-fiction writer, photographer, artist, and, of course, ambassador of Aloha.